Fruit skewers were the order of the day at Big Hill Primary School, where students were learning about making healthy choices.
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With packets of processed food relegated to the floor, and platters of fresh fruit sitting atop the tables, the message about which foods to preference was clear.
No Packet November launched about a month ago and aims to reduce the amount of packaged foods families consume. It has more than 300 signatories.
The campaign’s founder, Kate Coleman, was inspired by children’s lunchboxes.
Seeing all the packaged foods children were bringing with them to school, the personal trainer and health advocate decided to do something.
“Being a mother of three, it can be difficult to know what to feed your children,” Ms Coleman said.
“Everyone is so busy, and the clever marketing on packaged food is very confusing. There are so many mixed messages out there.
“I want to inspire people, especially children, to cook simple recipes and appreciate that real food is grown, and not from a factory.
“Most packaged food is double rubbish; plastic wrappers on the outside, and manufactured garbage on the inside.”
Big Hill Primary School student Mikayla Gunther, 10, said she found the No Packet November session informative.
“To eat healthy, and not too much junk food,” was her take-home message for the day.
For many of her classmates, Thursday’s session provided an opportunity to try something new.
Hands shot up into the air when students were asked whether they had sampled a new fruit during the activities.
They also had the opportunity to rate their new favourites, using a Venn diagram.
With all the energy the children had gained from the morning snack, it was time for some exercise.
Star jumps, squats, push-ups and even a few yoga poses featured in the routine.
One in four Australian children is overweight or obese.